Family Size and Educational Attainment in Kenya

Abstract

Empirical studies have consistently shown a negative relation between a childs educational attainment and family size. This paper reexamines the link in light of new evidence for rural and urban Kenya. The data show that the rates of return to education in Kenya rise with level of schooling. Empirical evidence is adduced to show that in countries like Kenya large families do not inhibit the achievement of particular levels of educational attainment or limit the income prospects of their members since parents need not view schooling as an investment alternative to having additional children. The empirical evidence used to test the links between family size birth order and educational attainment derive from analysis of data collected in 2 surveys in Kenya during 1979-80. The 2 data sets are used to test 3 relationships: 1) the effect of level of educational attainment on the private rates of return to education in 1980; 2) the effect of birth order on parental distribution of resources; and 3) the effect of family size on average educational ettainment of children. Findings on the 1st score reveal that the higher private outlay at the primary level of schooling and the relatively lower private outlay at the 2ndary and higher levels are central to explaining a trend of rising private rates of return to incremental education in Kenya. Results on the 2nd score show that beyond a certain point in family size children of low and high birth order are advantaged in the human capital resources invested in them. Since in large families more children (both oldest and youngest) are educationally advantaged large family size tends to be positively related to educational attainment. Parents can have many children and properly educate a high proportion of them as long as they finance their eldest childrens schooling and later induce the advantaged children to finance the education of their younger siblings. 1 conclusion suggested by these results is that extension of formal schooling cannot be considered as a straightforward policy instrument for reducing family size in Kenya. (summaries in ENG FRE SPA)